God is not pleased. The people of God have strayed away from God and are worshiping other gods. They have been unfaithful; and in typical OldTestament fashion, they are punished.
Elijah, the prophet, announces the punishment clearly —
“During these years there shall be no dew or rain except at my word.”
Thus, Elijah spoke as God spoke through him. Miraculous special care is taken of Elijah who, commanded by God, goes east to hide and dwell in the WadiCherith east of the Jordan. Elijah was cared for by God as he drank from the stream and was fed day and night by ravens who brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening.
The plot here will thicken, for sure
Matthew’s Gospel opens to us in Chapter 5. Matthew’s Gospel was written primarily to a Jewish audience, and mirrors the Jewish Old Testament scriptures. One of Matthew’s aims was to present Jesus as the new Moses. He never disrespects the great respect for Moses, but shows Jesus as the fulfillment of Moses.
The Law of Moses (so central to Jewish life) was contained in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
And so Matthew’s Jesus (the new Moses) will give five long discourses presenting his (Jesus’) law or teachings.
Perhaps the most eloquent is realized in this First Discourse which we read today — the Sermon on the Mount — known as the Beatitudes. This is not a list of “thou shalt not” laws or commands, but rather a beautiful, penetrating portrayal of values and attitudes, and remarkable descriptions of ways to live that bring happiness.
And we are not talking about superficial and giggly happiness, but rather a profound and joy-filled happiness that could only be said to be sharing in a piece of the kingdom or reign of God.
This is truly “God joy.”
And, thus, we begin our sojourn into the Gospel of Matthew to be treated to a Jesus who will fulfill all that was prophesied about him.
